MILFORD, CT — A Milford man is facing accusations that he left two dogs inside a car, which led to the death of one of the dogs, according to a police arrest log.Torres turned himself in on an active arrest warrant on July 10.John Torres, 72, was charged with two counts of cruelty to animals.Police said he left two dogs in the car while he went inside a store, "resulting in the death of one of the dogs." Milford Police Public Information Officer Brianna MacDonald said Torres went into the CVS at 989 Boston ...

Group 1 - CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) stock is currently trading at $64 per share, which reflects a stable price point compared to previous trading levels [1] - The Haggerston BioHealth investing group offers insights for both novice and experienced biotech investors, including catalysts for investment decisions and buy/sell ratings [1] - The group provides comprehensive financial analyses, including product sales forecasts, integrated financial statements, discounted cash flow analysis, and market-by-market evaluations for major pharmaceutical companies [1] Group 2 - Edmund Ingham, a biotech consultant with over 5 years of experience, has authored detailed reports on more than 1,000 companies in the biotech, healthcare, and pharmaceutical sectors [1]

Market Overview - The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 436.36 points, or 0.98%, closing at 44,023.29, amid rising inflation concerns and mixed earnings from major banks [2] - The Consumer Price Index increased by 0.3% month over month, indicating potential cost impacts from recent tariff policies [1] Value Investing Insights - Current market conditions suggest a renewed focus on value investing, emphasizing companies with strong fundamentals, stable cash flows, and reasonable valuations [2] - The Price to Cash Flow (P/CF) ratio is highlighted as an effective valuation metric, with a lower ratio indicating better value and strong cash generation potential [3][4] Company Performance and Projections - Hudbay Minerals Inc. (HBM) is projected to have sales growth of 9.7% and EPS growth of 43.8% this year, with shares rising 18.9% in the past year [9][14] - CVS Health Corporation (CVS) expects 3.4% sales growth and 12.9% EPS growth, with shares increasing by 3.8% over the past year [9][14] - Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) anticipates 8% sales growth and 17% EPS growth, although shares have declined by 3.7% in the past year [16] - Associated Banc-Corp (ASB) forecasts 10.1% sales growth and 5% EPS growth, with shares rising 6.3% in the past year [17] Investment Strategy Parameters - Parameters for selecting true-value stocks include a P/CF less than or equal to the industry median, a minimum stock price of $5, and an average 20-day volume greater than 100,000 [8] - Additional metrics for screening include P/E, P/B, and P/S ratios, with a PEG ratio of less than 1 indicating undervaluation [10][11]

Core Viewpoint - CVS Health Corporation is gaining investor attention as its stock trends higher ahead of its second-quarter earnings release, driven by the removal of proposed Medicare Pharmacy Benefit Manager limits from the Senate's tax bill, alleviating regulatory pressure on the company [1][11]. Group 1: Financial Performance - CVS Health reported a strong first-quarter 2025 performance with a 7% year-over-year revenue increase and adjusted EPS rising to $2.25 from $1.31 a year earlier [7][8]. - The company raised its full-year adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $6.00–$6.20, up from $5.75–$6.00, and expects around $7 billion in cash flow [7][8]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CVS's 2025 earnings per share suggests a 12.9% improvement from 2024 [9]. Group 2: Market Position and Competitive Landscape - CVS Health has staged a notable turnaround in 2025, recovering nearly 50% year-to-date after facing challenges such as the closure of approximately 900 stores between 2022 and 2024 [3][8]. - In comparison, archrivals like Cigna grew 10.9% while UnitedHealth shares dipped 39.2% during the same period [4]. Group 3: Business Segments and Growth Drivers - Growth was broad-based across CVS's three business segments: Health Care Benefits (8% growth), Health Services (7.9% growth), and Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness (11.1% growth) in the first quarter [9]. - Aetna, CVS's insurance unit, benefited from higher Medicare Advantage star ratings and favorable prior-year cost adjustments, reinforcing earnings momentum [9]. Group 4: Regulatory Environment and Strategic Initiatives - The Senate's decision to drop proposed limits on PBMs and cuts to Medicare Advantage removes a key regulatory risk for CVS's Caremark unit and supports stable revenues for Aetna [11]. - CVS is enhancing care delivery by processing 95% of prior authorizations within 24 hours and expanding value-based care into oncology and cardiology [12]. Group 5: Valuation and Investment Outlook - CVS Health's forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is 9.83X, which is a discount to the S&P 500's 22.63X and slightly above Cigna's P/E of 9.63X [15][16]. - The stock's premium over Cigna may be justified by its scale, efficiency, and strategic focus on digital health, AI, and value-based care, presenting an attractive entry point for long-term investors [17]. - With strong operational momentum and easing regulatory headwinds, CVS Health is positioned as a solid buy ahead of its second-quarter earnings [18].

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers various tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence [1] - The Zacks Style Scores are designed to help investors identify stocks with the highest potential to outperform the market in the short term [2] Zacks Style Scores Overview - The Style Scores consist of four categories: Value Score, Growth Score, Momentum Score, and VGM Score, each focusing on different investment strategies [3][4][5][6] - Value Score identifies undervalued stocks using financial ratios [3] - Growth Score assesses a company's future growth potential based on earnings and sales [4] - Momentum Score evaluates stocks based on price trends and earnings estimate changes [5] - VGM Score combines the three styles to highlight stocks with the best overall characteristics [6] Zacks Rank and Style Scores Interaction - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to assist in stock selection [7] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically achieved an average annual return of +23.62% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [8] - Investors are encouraged to select stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B for optimal investment potential [9][10] Company Spotlight: CVS Health - CVS Health Corporation, a pharmacy innovation company, is currently rated 1 (Strong Buy) on the Zacks Rank with a VGM Score of A [11] - The company has a Value Style Score of A, supported by a forward P/E ratio of 10.95, indicating strong valuation metrics [12] - Recent earnings estimates for fiscal 2025 have been revised upward, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.04 to $6.12 per share, alongside an average earnings surprise of +18.1% [12]

Core Insights - CVS Health aims to reduce its leverage ratio to a low 3X range, with a current ratio of 4.32 as of March 2025, down from 4.70 at the end of 2024 [1][9] - The company generated approximately $4.6 billion in operating cash flows in Q1 and returned $840 million to shareholders as dividends, maintaining its current dividend level [2][9] - Aetna, CVS' insurance arm, is on a multi-year path to recover margins, addressing challenges from elevated medical costs and Medicaid redeterminations [3] Financial Position Overview - UnitedHealth Group holds liquid and marketable equity securities of $79.1 billion, with cash flows from operations of $5.5 billion in Q1, reflecting low financial leverage at 1.99 times EBITDA [4] - Cigna Group reported a debt-to-capitalization ratio of 43.1% and has repurchased 8.2 million shares for approximately $2.6 billion, indicating a strong balance sheet [5] Market Performance - CVS Health shares have surged 49.2% year-to-date, contrasting with a 2.8% decline in the industry [8] - The stock is trading at a forward five-year sales multiple of 0.22, compared to the industry average of 0.39, and carries a Value Score of A [10] Earnings Estimates - Consensus estimates for CVS' earnings in 2025 and 2026 show a bullish trend, with current estimates of $6.12 for 2025 and $7.00 for 2026 [11][12]

Core Insights - CVS Health's Pharmacy and Consumer Wellness segment has experienced an 11.1% year-over-year revenue growth in Q1 2025, driven by high vaccine demand and an extended flu season, raising questions about sustaining this momentum throughout fiscal 2025 [1][9] Group 1: Business Performance - The favorable pharmacy drug mix, particularly the rising demand for high-cost branded GLP-1 medications, is expected to benefit CVS [2] - CVS Pharmacy's inclusion in Novo Nordisk's NovoCare pharmacy network allows for expanded access to Wegovy at over 9,000 community health locations [2] - The implementation of the CostVantage pharmacy reimbursement model is anticipated to enhance future results by reducing market cross-subsidization [2] Group 2: Sales and Market Trends - Rising same-store sales and prescription volumes are projected to boost adjusted operating income for CVS Health's PCW business [3] - Retail pharmacy remains crucial, supported by demographic trends and increasing prescription drug usage [3] Group 3: Strategic Developments - CVS completed a three-year plan to close 900 stores, achieving a retail pharmacy script share of 27.6% in Q1 2025, an increase of nearly 70 basis points year over year [4] - The company's consistent execution and commitment to pharmacy access are expected to maintain its market position despite a smaller footprint [4] Group 4: Competitive Landscape - Walmart reported strong health and wellness sales growth in fiscal 2026, with a 91% year-over-year increase in deliveries under three hours [6] - Walgreens Boots Alliance achieved 7.8% year-over-year sales growth in its U.S. Retail Pharmacy segment, focusing on a retail-pharmacy-led turnaround strategy [7] Group 5: Financial Metrics - CVS shares have increased by 18.9% over the past year, outperforming the industry's 14.6% decline [8] - The stock is trading at a forward 12-month earnings multiple of 10.18X, lower than the industry average of 14.07X, and carries a Value Score of A [10]

Core Insights - During market turbulence, investors often seek dividend-yielding stocks, which typically have high free cash flows and offer substantial dividends [1] Group 1: Stock Ratings and Analyst Insights - Pfizer Inc. (PFE) has a dividend yield of 6.79%. Guggenheim analyst Vamil Divan reiterated a Buy rating with a 73% accuracy rate. Citigroup analyst Andrew Baum maintained a Neutral rating and reduced the price target from $30 to $29, with a 69% accuracy rate [7] - CVS Health Corporation (CVS) has a dividend yield of 3.99%. Truist Securities analyst David Macdonald maintained a Buy rating and raised the price target from $82 to $84, with a 67% accuracy rate. RBC Capital analyst Ben Hendrix maintained an Outperform rating and increased the price target from $74 to $81, with a 61% accuracy rate [7] - Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) has a dividend yield of 3.93%. Citigroup analyst Andrew Baum downgraded the stock from Buy to Neutral and cut the price target from $115 to $84, with a 69% accuracy rate. Guggenheim analyst Vamil Divan reiterated a Buy rating with a price target of $115, maintaining a 73% accuracy rate [7] Group 2: Recent News - Pfizer announced positive topline Phase 3 results for HYMPAVZI™ in Hemophilia A or B with inhibitors on June 26 [7] - CVS Health will hold a conference call on July 31 to discuss second quarter 2025 financial results [7] - The FDA accepted and granted priority review for Merck's new supplemental Biologics License Application for Winrevair based on the Phase 3 ZENITH trial on July 2 [7]

Core Concept - The price-to-book (P/B) ratio is a key metric for value investors to identify undervalued stocks with potential for exceptional returns, calculated as market price per share divided by book value per share [1][5] Understanding Book Value - Book value represents the total value remaining for shareholders if a company were to liquidate its assets after settling all liabilities, calculated by subtracting total liabilities from total assets [3][4] P/B Ratio Insights - A P/B ratio under 1.0 indicates a potentially undervalued stock, while a ratio above 1.0 suggests overvaluation [5][6] - Stocks with low P/B ratios can indicate strong growth prospects, but a low ratio may also reflect weak asset returns or overstated assets [7][8] Screening Parameters for Value Stocks - Stocks should have a P/B ratio lower than the industry median, a P/S ratio below the industry median, and a P/E ratio using F(1) estimates lower than the industry median [11][12] - A PEG ratio under 1 indicates undervaluation relative to growth prospects, and stocks must trade at a minimum price of $5 [13] - High trading volume and favorable Zacks Rank (1 or 2) are also important criteria for screening [14] Identified Low P/B Stocks - Centene Corporation (CNC) has a projected 3-5 year EPS growth rate of 11.5% and holds a Zacks Rank of 2 with a Value Score of A [16] - CVS Health (CVS) has a projected EPS growth rate of 11.4% and also holds a Zacks Rank of 2 with a Value Score of A [16] - The ODP Corporation (ODP) has a projected EPS growth rate of 14% and holds a Zacks Rank of 1 with a Value Score of A [17] - StoneCo (STNE) has a projected EPS growth rate of 25.3% and holds a Zacks Rank of 2 with a Value Score of B [18] - Paysafe Limited (PSFE) has a projected EPS growth rate of 17.9% and holds a Zacks Rank of 1 with a Value Score of A [19]

Market Overview - U.S. stock markets experienced a successful June, with the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite increasing by 4%, 5.7%, and 5.7% respectively, closing at record-high levels for the first half of 2025 [1] - Despite this success, the first half of 2025 marked the weakest performance for the indexes since 2022, with potential catalysts for the second half including a U.S.-China trade deal, anticipated interest rate cuts by the Fed, and reduced recession fears [2] Imaginary Portfolio - An imaginary diversified portfolio was created, consisting of five stocks that each gained over 50% in the first half of 2025, with further upside potential indicated by favorable Zacks Ranks [3][4] Company Highlights Jabil Inc. (JBL) - Jabil is benefiting from strong momentum in capital equipment, AI-powered data center infrastructure, and digital commerce, with a focus on product diversification [7] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for Jabil are 5.9% and 18.5% respectively for the next year, with a 9% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for next-year earnings over the last 30 days [9] Howmet Aerospace Inc. (HWM) - Howmet Aerospace is experiencing growth in the commercial aerospace market, supported by robust build rates and recovery in wide-body aircraft, along with strength in its defense aerospace business [10] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for Howmet are 8.5% and 29% respectively for the current year, with a 0.3% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings over the last seven days [11] CVS Health Corp. (CVS) - CVS Health is investing in technology to reduce costs and enhance customer experience, with improved Medicare Advantage star ratings aiding its position [12] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for CVS are 3.5% and 12.6% respectively for the current year, with a 2.3% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings over the last 60 days [14] Carvana Co. (CVNA) - Carvana's acquisition of ADESA's U.S. operations has strengthened its logistics and auction capabilities, with expectations for year-over-year growth in retail unit sales [15][16] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for Carvana are 32.1% and over 100% respectively for the current year, with a 7.8% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings over the last 30 days [17] NRG Energy Inc. (NRG) - NRG Energy operates in the energy and home services sector, producing electricity from various sources and expanding operations through both organic and inorganic initiatives [18][19] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for NRG are 2.6% and 17% respectively for the current year, with a 2.8% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings over the last 60 days [20]